Ever Since New York // H.S. - ON HOLD

CHAPTER 29 - EXTRA TLC

A/N - Here's a longer chapter to make up for the lost time :)

. . .

Hunching over, my hands grip the sides of my head, applying pressure in an attempt to push away the slow aching pain I am enduring. Releasing a heavy, wavering breath, I try my best to keep myself together. As much as Harry and I need to talk, I just don't know if I have it in me to do that right now. I have been a shell of a person for a week and I am exhausted.

He shouldn't be here right now. This is too much for him.

"Ev?" The sound of his voice instinctively causes me to raise my head to meet his gaze. His bright eyes never falter, still holding grave amounts of adoration. His brows are slightly raised as a small smile pulls on his lips.

Why is he looking at me like that?

"I'm gonna run the shower for you, yeah?" He stands from his crouched position in front of me, squeezing my knee gently as he does so. Pinching my brows together, confusion waves across my face as he walks toward my bathroom. Seconds later, I hear the water trickle down from the showerhead and ping as it scatters across the tile. As Harry makes large strides toward me, I subconsciously pull my cheek between my teeth, wondering why he hasn't run away yet.

Reaching out to me, I notice his chipped nail polish and the lack of rings before hesitantly surrendering my hand to his. Quickly pulling me up from the chair, my feet shuffle across the cold hardwood as he leads me to the bathroom. Without giving me a second to protest, he hoists me up on the counter causing a quiet gasp to escape my lips as my eyes widen slightly in surprise. Even sitting on the counter, he still towers over me.

His legs are parted, trapping my feet between them as he stands less than a foot away from me. Sighing out loud as my head drops to my chest, I lean forward to rest my forehead on Harry's chest near his collar bone.

He should want nothing to do with me.

Me and all my baggage have no place in his glamorous life.

The feeling of Harry's hand against the back of my head interrupts my thoughts, creating momentary silence. He pulls my hair from its place in a tired bun before running his fingers through the raggedy curls and scrunching his fingers to massage my scalp.

The care in his touch is almost suffocating.

Stray tears fall from my eyes as I blink harshly. Sniffing quickly, I try to compose myself, not wanting to cry in front of him again.

Obviously, I have done quite a shit job at hiding it as Harry brings both of his hands to either side of my head. With his fingertips tangled in my hair, he rubs his thumbs on the skin of my jaw near my ear. Even though he has angled my head toward his, I can't bring myself to look at him. If I do, I know his emerald eyes will pierce through my heart, shattering every last bit of defence I have.

"Look at me, Ev..." Beckoning me with his husky voice that's littered with softness, I shake my head. Trying to shy away to my previous position, Harry only tightens his grip on my head. Not enough to hurt me, but enough to know he's serious.

"My love..." He whispers sweetly, causing me to sigh once more and raise my eyes to meet his. "Why are you crying? No more tears, babe." Swiping the edge of his sweatshirt sleeve under my eyes, he wipes away my tears as he moves in a little bit closer.

"Why are you doing this for me?" With a deadpan expression, I question blankly. My voice is coarse and monotone with virtually zero evidence of emotion.

"Because you need some extra TLC, that's why." He responds without hesitation, as if that was the most obvious answer.

"No, I mean...Why do you still care? After everything I told you?" Slowly, my voice becomes clearer as I sit up straighter, gaining some of my confidence back. Concern flashes over Harry's features as he looks me dead in the eyes, mulling over my words as if he is stunned by my questions.